FACTER: Functional Assessment & Curriculum for Teaching Everyday Routines (Elementary and Secondary versions)

Description:

The primary purpose of FACTER is to assess and teach students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. FACTER addresses the ability to perform typical everyday "routines" while incorporating essential "related skills" for living. All people engage in a broad range of routines every day in their lives. For example, eating lunch, academic seatwork, socializing with friends, and going shopping are all naturally occurring daily routines. These routines can be task analyzed into a number of core steps for assessment and instructional purposes. Routines are important because they provide specific purpose and enable us to become more independent in our lives.

Routines serve as the basic unit for assessment and instruction in FACTER. First, a knowledgeable teacher rates the student on how independently he or she would be able to perform a broad range of routines. Later the student is assessed on a small number of routines through performance assessments conducted in the natural environment. Finally, routine steps are identified that require instruction to enhance student independence on the routine.